Ah… another scene that just got way longer than expected. Explosions and fighting still postponed.

Arg. Long talking scene – too many words, not enough happens. But I can't really find a part that can be cut out. Once again, suggestions welcome.

Warnings: spoilers and extreme angst. Author may have emotional issues.

Not mine.

(Oh and language stuff – o-hisashiburi means "Long time no see." Tawake is a kinda old-fashioned word meaning "idiot". It's the way they would have said "baka" in the shogunate period, and it's what Rukia always calls Ichigo in the manga. Nakama – friend, companion, teammate.)

Chapter 3

Ashes

High Commander Yamamoto Genryuusai took a seat in his high chair. Before him the twelve other captains of the Gotei 13 were assembling. They arrived one by one, nodding perfunctory greetings, shuffling their white robes. Outside the shadows were lengthening, and Yamamoto's third seat was lighting the braziers along the walls of the great hall. The soft golden light made for a somber, almost sleepy atmosphere. Everyone looked too tired to say much.

Two long lines of chairs were arranged where the captains would usually stand. "Hey, we get to sit!" Renji said as he entered, with a weak attempt at humor. "That's a first."

Yamamoto grunted. "This may be a long affair."

6th Squad Captain Kuchiki Byakuya, silent as always, radiated impatience. His squad had been dispatched to put down the Rukongai uprising yesterday. It was messy work, and it wasn't finished. Having their captain peremptorily recalled mid-way would only make the task more difficult.

Everyone but Matsumoto of the 9th had arrived. The Captain of the 10th Squad, Kurosaki, told them that she had been delayed by unspecified "women's issues." She requested that the meeting should start without her.

The commander sighed. He really didn't want to know. "Very well," he said, "she will have to catch up. This is the situation." He paused. Get it over with, old man, he told himself.

"An emissary for the Hueco Mundo has approached me. Aizen is proposing a cease-fire." A muttering went through the gathered captains. "He has offered to withdraw all of his troops surrounding Karakura town for the next twelve hours. During that time we, as a group, will try to reach an agreement with his representative."

"How can we know the offer is on the level?" Kyouraku asked. The 8th Division Captain looked aged and weary; his lieutenant's death had hit him pretty hard.

Yamamoto folded his hands over his wooden cane. "The arrancars have already retreated from the city limits." He saw Ichigo stir. "Obviously, we are taking the opportunity to evacuate as many humans from Karakura as possible."

Several of the Captains were on the edge of their seats, not just Ichigo. But no one cheered or even smiled. This was not just good news. This very clearly fell under the "too good to be true" news classification. "This 'representative' must have one doozy of a mission statement," Zaraki grunted, "for Aizen to risk so many souls on one toss."

The old man closed his eyes. "That is what I fear," he said, scarcely audibly. "I am sure that by accepting these negotiations, we are walking into a trap. However, for the sake of the human population, we have no choice. I must warn you, this ambassador…"

At that moment, Matsumoto arrived, Hitsugaya in tow. "Sorry to be late," she beamed. "I won't explain why."

"Thank you," Renji muttered.

"Matsumoto-taichou," Yamamoto said in alarm, half-rising. "Hitsugaya-kun should not be here."

The blonde woman folded her arms and put her hands on Hitsugaya's shoulders. The young shinigami, truth be told, did not look like he wanted to be there. His head turned about and about the room, and his muscles were tight. He reached up to grasp Matsumoto's right hand. Something was wrong here. "This is captain's meeting," she said slowly, "and he is a captain. His rank was never rescinded. He doesn't speak much, these days, but that doesn't mean he can't be useful."

"Matsumoto," the senior commander's face was ominous, "I order you to remove him immediately."

"Let Hitsugaya stay," a stranger's voice interceded. All heads turned towards the doorway. A slim figure stood there, outlined against the sunset light outside. "This involves him." The newcomer walked down the corridor of chairs, until she stopped roughly in the middle of the line. One hand rested carelessly on the hilt of her zanpukutou, an easy and confident smile on her face. Her huge black eyes sparkled around the room. "O-hisashiburi da, ne? Been a long time!"

After a stupefied instant, Renji and Ichigo leapt to their feet. "Rukia!" Renji cried joyfully, starting forward. Ichigo could only gape at her, too stunned to speak. Ukitake stood slowly. Hisagi and Kira half rose, but then some instinct warned them not to continue.

At the first position to Yamamoto's right, Byakuya's hands closed so tightly on the arms of his chair that the wood broke. The snap reverberated through the suddenly quiet room. Byakuya made no further motion.

"Yo, Ichigo! Renji!" Rukia said, tossing them an idle two fingered salute. "Captain," she smiled at Ukitake. "O-nii-sama," she murmured, nodding at Byakuya.

No one answered. Instead, they began to squint. It seemed like the room was filling with pinpricks of light. A small whirlwind seemed to surround the black-haired woman, tiny, swirling, glinting slivers of ice. At first they floated prettily, catching the firelight and breaking it into iridescent sparkles. Then the storm grew denser, flying faster and wider. The captains began to lift their sleeves in front of their faces. The little shards were sharp.

"An attack, Ambassador?" Yamamoto queried, stern-faced.

"Not mine," Rukia answered. She had not so much as flinched under the maelstrom, and her smile had not wavered.

"Captain, no!" Matsumoto cried. Hitsugaya had shaken free of her and had stepped forward, wearing an expression of pure, malignant fury. He raised one hand, fingers curled, towards Kuchiki. The ice particles seemed to triple in number suddenly, and the assembly shivered under a blast of frigid air. Two scratches appeared on Rukia's cheek, and started bleeding. Still, she did not move.

Zaraki swore and launched himself at Hitsugaya, beating the ice out of his way with one hand. Long before he reached the boy, though, a powerful gust caught the big man, lifted him off his feet, and flung him against the far wall of the chamber.

Hitsugaya took another step towards Rukia, his teeth bared.

"Stop." Captain Unohana stood next to the white haired teenager, her zanpakutou drawn. Hitsugaya hesitated, but did not look away from his target. "Hitsugaya-taichou," Unohana said smoothly, "if you continue, I will restrain you. You know that I can. Please lower your reiatsu."

For a moment he looked defiant. Then, with a shudder, he let his hand drop. A shower of crystals fell to the floor with a little musical patter. Zaraki picked himself up and returned to his seat, rubbing his jaw and muttering. "Matsumoto-taichou," Unohana said, her voice pale but deliberate. "Bind him,"

Shaking, Matsumoto placed a kidou on Hitsugaya. Then for good measure she stepped forward and held his arms behind his body. The boy did not resist, but he did not look at her.

"He's recovered faster than I would have expected," Rukia said, shaking the ice out of her hair. For the first time they noticed a circular bone on the black head, like a slim tiara. "It's impressive that he has so much control over his spirit power already. Now," she continued, "shall we begin?" She unzipped her outer garment, a long white jacket, and took it off. A gasp rose from the room. She was wearing a simple white kimono underneath, tied with a black obi. The fabric was also trimmed with black, in front and behind, around the gaping hole in her chest.

ooooooooooooooooo

It felt as if time had stopped.

Neither Renji nor Ichigo could move or breathe. Ukitake sank nervelessly back into his chair.

"As I was saying," rukia said cheerfully, apparently oblivious to their horror, "to business. We both know the war to be stalemated. Let's be honest. Your defensive position gives you an advantage, as does your weaponry. Our science department, unfortunately, can't boast any Urahara Kisukes. On the other hand, with the Hougyoku, we outnumber and outpower you. In a year's time, maybe two, we will take Karakura.

"By that time, however, a great many of the city's million souls will have starved to death, and it won't be worth the trouble." She wrinkled her nose playfully. "Quite the pickle, huh? So, Aizen-sama proposes that we regroup. A temporary armistice, while we discuss terms. In the meantime, we will return the shinigami we have captured in battle – thirty-two, at the last count. Soul Society will release her arrancar prisoners. I believe you have taken eighty-seven alive."

"Oh dear oh dear," Kurotshuchi Mayuri twittered, rubbing his long hands together. "Our subjects – prisoners, I mean to say, guests … well, I had no idea that they would be wanted again." A broad nasty grin spread across face, "Even if you reclaim them, and they aren't exactly what I would call battle-ready, oh my no, not even peace-ready, some of them …"

No reaction. "Well," Mayuri continued, looking less sure of himself, "if you insist on having them, I'm afraid some of them have, well, as could not be avoided, inevitable sacrifice to science, surely you understand, some of them have died. We could only return seventy to you, at this moment."

"Seventy-one, then" Rukia said calmly, "including Hitsugaya Toushirou."

There was a moment of stunned silence. Still holding her captain's arms, Matsumoto turned slightly, as if to protect him with her body. "This is an exchange of prisoners," she snarled, "Why would we give one of our own to you?" In her fierce grip, Hitsugaya had become unnaturally still, his eyes locked on the black-haired arrancar.

The dark head turned, and one eyebrow lifted. "Oh, but he isn't one of yours. He volunteered to stay in the Hueco Mundo, after all."

"Why would he do that??!" Matsumoto spat. Beside her, Unohana shifted slightly. She was struck by an awful premonition.

Rukia's dark eyes widened slightly, as if surprised. "To save Hinamori Momo, of course."

For the first time, Renji shook himself awake and spoke. It sounded as if his voice came from far away. "Will Hinamori be returned? Is she one of the thirty-two?"

Rukia shrugged. "If you want her to be."

Renji forced himself to look at her. "And will you?" he whispered.

She did not face him, merely glanced over her shoulder in a disdainful manner. "No."

Ichigo suddenly took a deep breath, like a gasp, as if he had been long submerged and had just come to the surface. It was evident from his face that he had not followed anything that had just been said. Prisoners, negotiations, numbers -- nothing had sunk in. Only the monstrous hole in his friend's chest. "Rukia," he choked, stepping forward. Yamamoto hissed in warning, to no effect. "Rukia, you have to fight this." He stepped forward. "Aizen has done this to you; this isn't who you are."

The young man's voice was rising steadily, even as he blinked back tears. "You can beat the hollow inside you. I have; you can. I can show you, just … just trust me. Just …" he raised one hand to her, pleadingly. "I can save you."

Kuchiki Rukia gazed at him a moment, an unreadable expression on her face. Then she laughed. A laugh like herself, unrefined, unaffected, delicate and strong and inherently beautiful. Her own laugh, which had so endeared her both in the Rukongai and at Karakura High. "Tawake," she said fondly. "Fool. You can save me? Why do you think I stayed in the Hueco Mundo?"

He stared at her helplessly, unwilling, even unable, to turn his mind in that direction.

She smiled at him, and he looked away. Even her smile was the same as it had been, half-gentle, half-mocking. "You don't really think," she asked gaily, "that the four of you could have left the Hueco Mundo alive, if Aizen-sama hadn't let you go? " Her face hardened, ever so slightly. "Do you think he would have let you go for free?"

It seemed as if the entire assembly was holding its breath. Among the dozen white-coated shinigami, not a murmur, not a rustle of fabric could be heard.

It was Kuchiki herself who broke the tension. She let out an exasperated sigh, blowing a loose lock of hair out of her eyes. "Really, Ichigo," she scolded, one hand on her hip, "you look like a gutted fish. Stop gawking! You knew full well that I had touched the Hougyoku of my own free will."

Ichigo could only stare dumbfounded at her, as did Renji. "After all," she continued, turning back to Yamamoto's high chair, "that's what your message said, isn't it? Four years ago, today." She began to speak in lofty tones, obviously quoting: "Hitsugaya Toushirou and Kuchiki Rukia are guilty of insubordination, conspiracy, and desertion in time of war. They have of their own volition committed treason, and have forfeited their rights as officers in the Gotei 13. No concessions will be made for their repatriation."

Rukia sneered. For the first time she looked alien, unfamiliar. "And now you say you want to keep little Hitsu-chan. As a pet, maybe? What changed your mind?"

This time there was no silence. Instead, murmurs rippled through the room as every eye turned to the high commander. But as no one seemed brave enough to stand forward, Ukitake decided to speak for everyone. He cleared his throat rather noisily. "What .. what does she mean, Yamamoto-dono? Surely … a prisoner exchange has not been proposed before now?"

The old man did not answer. The murmurs grew, and the spirit energy in the room began to mount dangerously. Even Kuchiki Byakuya's carefully controlled reiatsu began to flare. Rukia turned slowly, taking in the stunned faces around her. "He didn't tell you?" she asked, incredulous. "You really didn't know."

Renji's temper, never easily mastered, broke down entirely. "Of COURSE we didn't know!!!" he thundered. Eyes blazing, he grabbed the front of Rukia's white uniform, and yanked the tiny woman off her feet. "Do you think we would have left you there, if we thought you might be alive!?!??"

All of his life, Abarai Renji had hidden behind anger. He used it to mask his sloppier emotions – his insecurities, his fears. But now he felt his fury slip away, abandoning him in his hour of need.

That was exactly what Rukia had thought. One look at her face confirmed it. She had sacrificed herself for them, for Ichigo, Renji, Ishida and Matsumoto. She had given up her humanity so that they could go home. And they had abandoned her.

She had waited for them, Renji realized. His heart turned cold in his chest. They didn't have the power to rescue her, and Rukia knew it. Probably she had hoped that they would not try. But still, she had expected them to try. They were her nakama. She had waited for five years, and they had never come. When Aizen had offered to free her, Soul Society had refused her ransom. When a party had finally raided the Hueco Mundo, they had taken Hitsugaya, not her.

Rukia's eyes had revealed that much, in a moment of fluttering confusion. But that soon passed. She glared at Renji over his clenched fist. "Put me down," she hissed.

Numb, he lowered her, then stepped back. She turned back to the soutaichou. "We are straying from the point, Yamamoto," she said, her voice low and dangerous.

The commander nodded. "Calm yourselves," he ordered, glaring directly at Captain Kuchiki, "I will answer your questions later. For now, remember that we are engaged in negotiations with the enemy."

Byakuya lowered his eyes, and his fists clenched on his knees. He said nothing.

Yamamoto turned back to the emissary before him. "We will not hand Hitsugaya-taichou back to the Hueco Mundo," the old man rasped. "We were unaware, until recently, of the nature of his confinement." Rukia snorted ungraciously. Yamamoto raised one bushy eyebrow. "Do you know the nature of his confinement, Kuckiki-san?" he asked. There was an edge in his gravelly voice that few had heard before.

"Our people have been in Captain Kurotshuchi's tender care," Rukia retorted. "I don't think you have room to throw stones."

"The prisoners in the 12th Division are kept sedated," the commander answered gravely, "and fed. And you have not answered my question. Were you aware of what they did to him?"

Rukia the arrancar drew herself up, contempt in her fine features. "We Espada had a contest," she said levelly, "to see who could make the brat beg for mercy first."

Ichigo made an indistinct noise in his throat. Rukia turned to him. Blackness had begun to fill the whites of her eyes. "Don't you want to know who won?" she smiled mockingly.

Behind them, Hitsugaya gave a small cry. He started to thrash against Matsumoto's hold, trying desperately to free himself. Only when Unohana touched his temples did the boy stop. He retreated, trembling wildly, into his lieutenant's embrace. Matsumoto, only a few inches taller than her captain, buried her face in his white hair. Too devastated to think clearly, she clung to him as if to her last hope in life.

Rukia watched Hitsugaya impassively. "Did you know," she asked, "that there are pits in the Seireitei, pits almost thirty meters deep. Hollows were kept in those pits, for years, forced to fight rouge shinigami to the death. How is what we have done to him," she indicated Hitsugaya with a gesture, "different from what you have done to us?"

"Those were hollows," Renji spluttered, gripping his bright red hair, "how can you.."

"Mmm," Rukia interrupted him. Her fingers traced the hole in her chest. "Hollows. Monsters, right? Animals. Just like me." Her eyes narrowed. "Just like him." Hitsugaya snarled at her, and his fingers tightened on Matsumoto's arms.

Commander Yamamoto cut in. His voice sounded weary. "Those pits have been empty for a thousand years," he sighed.

Rukia looked sideways at the old man. "Yasutora Sado had a saying," she said quietly. " 'The mills of God grind slowly, slowly.' " Her voice dropped to a whisper. " 'The mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceedingly small.' "

Ichigo head snapped up. "Chad??" he exclaimed, his voice breaking. "He had a saying? Is he… What are you.." He swallowed, and pulled his arm across his eyes. "What about Inoue?" he managed at last.

"You should ask little dragon-chan," Rukia said softly, still looking at Hitsugaya. "Oh," she breathed, "you don't talk anymore, do you, Shirou?" Her black eyes bore into his, an ugly expression on her face. "How convenient."

Hitsugaya stared back at her as if paralyzed, his green eyes wide.

"Enough of this," Yamamoto snapped. He rose imperiously, and rapped his cane against the stone floor. "We must deliberate. The ambassador of the Hueco Mundo will retire, for now." He clapped his hands, and five huge shinigami materialized by the door. "These men will escort you to your accommodations."

"To my cell, you mean," Rukia scoffed. "Don't forget, I have extensive experience with Seireitei's accommodations."

"Call it what you will."

Kuchiki Rukia turned slowly, looking at each of her former colleagues in turn. Then she bowed, very slightly, and walked out of the hall. She moved with the grace that she had always possessed, and she left calamity behind her.

TBC

Let me know if it's confusing. Next chapter they'll have it out with Yamamoto. He's another one of my favorite characters, by the way. Shades of Jean Anhouil's King Creon. (How's THAT for an obscure reference?)

Before I get flamed (not that I mind) I should say up front that I really like Kuchiki Rukia. She comes across as … not so likable here. I've tried to make her as in-character as possible. But I've put her through a very OOC-making experience. I won't promise redemption, but I do promise explanation. I even shoved a little into this chapter, though, of course, there's always more.

One of the things I like about Bleach is that Kubo Tite leaves the good guy/bad guy line fairly ambiguous. Soul Society has done some pretty reprehensible things, in the name of the greater good. I also think that there are times that you have to choose a side, but I think it's not always an easy choice. Rukia has a lot of really legitimate gripes with the Seireitei.

OK, no more pointless author notes! You can make up your mind for yourself. Thanks again for reviews!